The Imperial Astronomy Bureau compared the birth charts of the noble ladies with Chu Shaoling's, and sent the results to Ci'an Palace the next day after breakfast.

The consorts were paying respects to the Empress Dowager in Ci'an Palace. The Emperor came to pay respects after the morning court session, just in time to hear that the birth chart results had arrived. He immediately ordered them to be brought over. The Imperial Astronomy Bureau selected three copies of the most compatible birth charts, with Zhen Si's on the top.

Upon seeing the name card, the Empress Dowager felt displeased and said indifferently: "I didn't know that Zhen Si's birth chart was so good."

Even a fool could understand the Empress Dowager's meaning. The Chief Astrologer's heart trembled with fear, but he dared not disobey Chu Shaoruan's words. Offending the Empress Dowager was still better than offending the Second Prince. The Chief Astrologer steadied his heart and said solemnly: "In response to the Empress Dowager, Zhen Si's birth chart is extremely auspicious, suitable for family and marriage. It matches well with the Crown Prince's birth chart. Furthermore, your subject has analyzed Zhen Si's fate - her destiny soars like a phoenix, truly extraordinary."

The Chief Astrologer broke out in a cold sweat. A few days ago, the Second Prince Chu Shaoruan had found him and ordered him to give Zhen Si a good fate reading. The Chief Astrologer could see that Chu Shaoruan wanted to entice the Empress Dowager. Everyone knew that the position of the Crown Prince had not been determined yet. Naturally, the Empress Dowager wanted Chu Shaoling to become the Crown Prince. Once she learned of Zhen Si's fate, she would definitely be moved.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager's heart stirred slightly. Soaring like a phoenix? Isn't this the fate of an Empress? The Empress Dowager's mind was active. Her Ling'er would definitely become the Emperor in the future. It wouldn't be bad to have a woman with such a fate by his side. However, she still couldn't let Chu Shaoling marry Zhen Si as his primary consort. Zhen Si's appearance was not bad, so making her a concubine would be acceptable.

The Empress Dowager's thoughts were all on Chu Shaoling. Before she could react, the Emperor's expression had already darkened. Soaring like a phoenix? He wasn't dead yet, how dare someone marry a woman with such a fate?

The Empress Dowager's heart was hesitant. When she turned to look at the Emperor, she finally understood. Her heart panicked and she quickly crumpled Zhen Si's name card into her palm, saying urgently: "No need to say more, you may go."

The Imperial Astronomy Bureau staff were puzzled. He hadn't even explained yet, and had memorized a long speech of flattery that he hadn't said. How could he be dismissed so quickly? Even though he was confused, he didn't dare show it on his face. The Imperial Astronomy Bureau staff kowtowed and left.

Consort Li was still unaware, thinking that the Empress Dowager had made a decision after hearing just a few sentences. Her face was full of joy. She had never let Zhen Si return to the manor, waiting for Zhen Si to receive the decree in Linzhi Palace, so that she could also bask in the joyous atmosphere.

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor. Mother and son were connected at heart, and the Empress Dowager knew what the Emperor was thinking. She said: "I am tired, you may all pay your respects and leave."

After everyone left, the Empress Dowager opened the incense burner and placed Zhen Si's name card inside. Using the faint firelight, she burned it and said softly: "I didn't expect this Zhen Si to have such good fortune. The Emperor hasn't taken a consort for a long time, it's time to add someone to the harem."

A mother knows her son best. The Emperor was suspicious. No matter how good Zhen Si's fate was, it wouldn't work. At this juncture, giving Zhen Si to Chu Shaoling would truly harm Chu Shaoling. Although she was just a little girl, the Emperor would definitely suspect that Chu Shaoling wanted to rebel. The Empress Dowager naturally couldn't watch as father and son turned against each other. For the sake of Chu Shaoling, she had to deal with Zhen Si now.

The Empress Dowager smiled: "I have seen that Zhen Si girl, her appearance and character are both good. The Emperor will definitely like her too."

Hearing these words, the Emperor felt very pleased. He was just worried about how to handle it if the Empress Dowager insisted on giving Zhen Si to Chu Shaoling. Since the Empress Dowager was considerate of him, the Emperor also had to make a gesture: "Since Mother likes her, your son will choose a day to summon Zhen Si into the palace to serve Mother. It's just that Ling'er is still young, so the marriage can wait for a year or two. Mother can take her time to choose someone she likes as the Princess Consort Qin."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager was indeed happy. There were indeed no suitable girls at the moment, but with a year or two, she would definitely be able to select a suitable Princess Consort Qin for Chu Shaoling.

Over the years, the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had never been very close. There had been some inevitable conflicts due to certain matters. But they also had a certain tacit understanding. Each concession meant a compensation from the other party. Both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor could get the results they wanted.

Of course, there had to be an explanation for this matter. They couldn't say that they were selecting a consort for Chu Shaoling, and after finding a good candidate, the Emperor snatched her away because her fate was too good. The Empress Dowager naturally wouldn't tolerate such a joke. So this time, the grand occasion became the Empress Dowager showing consideration for the Emperor not having a suitable person by his side. The Emperor had just recovered from a serious illness, so of course he needed to find a gentle and caring person to serve him. That's why the Empress Dowager summoned eligible daughters into the palace to take a look.

The next day, the Emperor issued a decree: "Now, considering that Zhen Si is gentle, virtuous, solemn, and moral, We, in accordance with the Empress Dowager's gracious command, bestow upon her the title of Imperial Consort Zhen, and grant her a silver appointment tablet. May she further promote filial piety and respect, diligently assist in palace duties, and gloriously continue the prosperity of her family lineage. Respect this."

After the eunuch finished reading the imperial decree, Consort Li was stunned at first. Wasn't this about selecting a princess consort for Chu Shaoling? How did it suddenly become the Emperor's concubine?

In comparison, Zhen Si was quite calm. She stepped forward to receive the imperial decree, not forgetting to have the palace servants give out silver as rewards.

Zhen Si put away the imperial decree and said softly: "Aunt, the eunuch said for me to enter the palace in three days. There are still many things at home that haven't been sorted out. Please send me out of the palace today."

"Did they read it wrong, Si'er?" Consort Li snatched the imperial decree and read it again, muttering, "Impossible, how can you be bestowed the title of concubine? I am the Emperor's consort, and now he wants you to enter the palace. What is this? Impossible..."

Zhen Si took back the imperial decree and said indifferently: "Aunt, have someone send me out of the palace. Now that I am the Emperor's concubine, it's probably inappropriate for me to stay here any longer. If the Emperor comes at night, what will people say?"

Consort Li's mind was in a mess. She nodded, mumbling incoherently: "Indeed, it's not suitable for you to stay here. I'll have someone send you back right away. There must be some mistake somewhere. I'll go ask the Emperor..."

Zhen Si bowed and paid her respects, then followed the chief eunuch of Consort Li's palace out.

After returning to the Zhen Manor, Zhen Si didn't say a single word. She just handed the imperial decree to Zhen Jiaxin and went back to her own courtyard.

Ever since Zhen Si learned that her grandfather, parents, and aunt in the palace wanted to betroth her to Prince Qin, she had been like this, not saying a single extra word.

She was already fourteen this year, and being born into an official's family, she understood what she needed to. She knew she had become a sacrificial lamb. After marrying, even if the Prince Qin were a Bodhisattva, he would not treat her well. Wasting her life and enduring a lifetime of grievances would be the least of her worries. Prince Qin and her family were incompatible like fire and water. In the future, it would inevitably be a matter of life and death. If Prince Qin were defeated, he would certainly not let her die after him. If Prince Qin were victorious, he would not tolerate having a woman by his side who had a feud of extermination with him. At that time, it would also mean death.

What Zhen Si could think of, her family must have all thought of as well. Everyone knew it would be like this, yet they still wanted to marry her off to Prince Qin.

Zhen Si was only fourteen years old. In private, she had secretly dreamed about her future marriage. Perhaps it would be to her imperial cousin, perhaps to a young master of some family, or perhaps to a brave general returning with countless merits from the battlefield. Countless times she had imagined, but never had she thought it would end up like this.

When she learned that she had been conferred the title of imperial concubine, Zhen Si was even a little happy in her heart. At least she didn't have to die, right? As for whether this outcome could satisfy her grandfather and aunt, Zhen Si couldn't be bothered. She had done everything they asked her to do. Perhaps ending up like this was a sign of heaven's pity, giving her a chance to live?

The young girl grew up overnight. Zhen Si looked at the room full of red wedding decorations and sneered coldly. Her dear aunt used to always embrace her, saying she liked her and wanted her by her side for a lifetime. At that time, the implications made by the Consort Li had caused Zhen Si to blush. Fate played with people. Those words had indeed come true. From now on, in the endless palace, she would naturally accompany Consort Li for a lifetime.